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The ''hôka'' was a type of male entertainer, prevalent chiefly in the [[Muromachi period]], and chiefly associated with juggling, acrobatics, and sleight-of-hand; ''hôka'' also often sang and danced, accompanying themselves with wooden clappers or rhythm sticks called ''kokiriko'' or ''sasara''. Many ''hôka'' dressed as Buddhist monks, and came to be seen as semi- or pseudo-religious figures. ''Hôka'' are cited by [[Zeami]] in his ''[[Sando|Sandô]]'' ([[1423]]) as one of four types of ideal characters for ''shite'' roles; Zeami suggests that since the ''hôka'' are performers to begin with, a [[Noh]] actor portraying a ''hôka'' entertainer will have an easier time of conveying an artistic quality through that character.

The Noh play ''[[Hokaso|Hôkasô]]'' features two brothers who disguise themselves as ''hôka'' entertainers in order to get revenge on their father's killer.

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==References==
*Thomas Hare, ''Zeami Performance Notes'', Columbia University Press (2008), 152n3.
*Shelley Fenno Quinn, ''Developing Zeami'', University of Hawaii Press (2005), 123-124.

[[Category:Artists and Artisans]]
[[Category:Poetry and Theater]]
[[Category:Muromachi Period]]